Multicontact relay



July 8, 1941. J. N. REYNOLDS MULTICONTACT RELAY Filed June 23, 1939 50 INVENTOR 5 ama M ATTORNEYS Patented July 8, 1941 UNlTED STATES PATENT OFFICE 20 Claims.

This invention relates to relay devices which are adapted for making and breaking electrical circuits, and more especially circuits used in connection with telephone work. Telephone relays as now constructed consist usually of a large magnet, a large heavy armature, and movable and fixed spring blades which are spaced apart by blocks of insulation material. This construction requires heavy parts, takes up a large amount of space, and is expensive to construct and assemble on account of the many individual parts coniiprising the relay. The moving parts of the relay are large and heavy and, therefore, do not respond quickly to the actuating magnet and are slow in operation. Furthermore, by reason of the design of the base portion of the relay and its many component parts, it is not possible to provide a satisfactory cover for the spring blades and moving contacts so that they are exposed to the dust and dirt of the atmosphere with the result that after a time the contacts are not made and the device becomes inoperative. It is the general purpose of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages above mentioned.

It is accordingly an object of this invention to provide a relay which may comprise a large number of contact springs all operated by the same electromagnet, and in which the arrangement of parts is such that the entire relay occupies only a small amount of space.

A further object of the invention is to provide a relay in which the contact springs are molded into a clock of insulating material which spaces them apart at suitable fixed distances which remain constant. This arrangement does away with the loosening up of the contact springs which occurs in the usual reiay due to the blocks of insulating material alternately expanding and contracting due to the adsorption of moisture from the atmosphere. In the preferred construction the relay magnet is also molded into position by the same mass of molded insulation material which serves to mount the spring contacts.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a magnetic circuit which comprises a U-shaped magnet core, whose legs are spaced closely together and in which the magnetic circult is closed by a short armature which is light in weight and, therefore, operates quickly and permits only a small leakage of the magnetic A further object of the invention is to arrange the member of molding material which supports the magnet core, and contact springs in the form or" a solid base which closes the rear end of the relay and in connection with which a cover surrounding the front end of the relay cooperates to entirely inclose the unit and make the same dustproof.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a rotatable contact actuating member which is connected to the movable armature, and is provided with a series of slots in which the upper ends of the movable contact springs are disposed so that upon rotation thereof a uniform degree of movement is provided to all the contact springs.

Another object of the invention is to provide an insulation supporting member positioned between the upper contact actuating plate and the molded base member for supporting and guiding the relatively stationary contact springs of the relay. In further pursuance of this object this member is provided with a series of slots in which the relatively stationary contact springs are disposed and in which they are permitted a slight degree of movement. Due to the described construction, the spacing between the contact springs of the several pairs of contacts are maintained uniform and are not subject to the variations in spacing encountered in the present type of relay due to the variations in thickness of its many parts.

Another object of the invention is to provide terminal connections for the relay coil which are molded in the same supporting base in which the spring contacts are molded.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a stop to limit the backward movement of the armature and the contact spring actuating plate so as to prevent the closing of contacts carried by the contact springs which are not intended to come into engagement with each other. Further objects of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art as the description thereof proceeds. For a better understanding of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan View of a relay embodying the invention with the enclosing casing removed;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the relay of Fig. 1 showing the enclosing casing in position in dot-and-dash lines;

Fig. 3 is a sectional plan view of the relay taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary detail view of a portion of the magnet, the armature and its retaining spring taken from the left of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view showing a form of contact spring having a central slot and two contact points on its flexible end portions;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary plan view showing a portion of a relay base in which the contact springs of each pair are molded in the base while disposed in parallel formation;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary detail View similar to Fig. 4 showing a modified form of armature and support; and

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the armature and its support shown in Fig. 7.

The relay shown may be used to make or break or transfer one or more telephone or other electrical circuits and comprises a main base I which is of generally square shape and is provided with an upstanding cylindrical projecting portion 2 to provide a shoulder 3 for supporting a closed cover or casing d. If desired, a plurality of the relays may be mounted in alignment on a main supporting panel by means of the attaching screws 6 which are threaded into panel 5. Centrally with respect to each relay, the panel 5 is provided with a circular aperture 1 to permit the contact springs or blades and the connecting terminals to be later described to pass therethrough as shown in Fig. 2. Ihe relay magnet is of generally U-shape and comprises the parallel legs 8 and 9 connected at their lower ends by the curved connecting portion :9, the magnet being firmly supported in the base I by being molded in position when the base is molded to the desired shape. For this purpose the base is preferably formed of Bakelite or other desired moldable insulation material.

Also molded in the base I are the relay contact springs iii and ii, a plurality of pairs of these being shown, one pair being preferably provided for each relay circuit to be controlled. Terminal pins i2 and i3 are also molded in base I and carry the magnet terminals I 4 at their lower ends, the terminals i4 and the lower ends of the pairs of contact springs ill and II projecting through the aperture 1 to provide circuit connections for the several circuits of the relay, An energizing magnet coil [5, which is wound to the desired shape and size before assembly with the relay, is shown surrounding the magnet leg 9, the lower end of coil i5 being preferably in engagement with the upper surface of cylindrical base portion 2, as shown in Fig. 2. Connecting leads l8 and El serve to connect the ends of coil E5 to the terminal pins i2 and I3.

The generally cylindrical shaped magnet legs 3 and 9 are cut away at their upper ends, their rear surface being cut straight as indicated at 18 and I5, Fig. 3, and the left side of leg 8 being cut away to provide a flat surface 29 disposed at an angle of substantially 90 with the surface l3, the meeting edge 2| of these surfaces providing a pivotal support for the movable armature 22. This construction provides supporting shoulders '23 and 24 on the legs 89 for supporting a stationary contact spring-supporting or back stop plate 25 which is preferably formed of molded insulation material and has a plurality of equidistantly spaced slots 25 molded in its periphery. The contact springs Iii extend into the slots 26 which, however, are substantially wider than the thickness of springs H), for a purpose to be described later. Near its upper end each of the springs 10 carries a metallic contact point 21 which is adapted to engage a registering contact point 28 carried by each of the springs H,

For the purpose of actuating the contact springs ii uniformly and in unison, a rotatable spring actuating plate 29 is provided, this plate being formed of molded insulation material and having a plurality of narrow slots 30 molded in its circular periphery, the slots 33 being uniformly spaced apart to loosely receive the upper end portions of the springs ll which are entered therein. Any suitable means may be provided for pivotally supporting the actuating plate 29, that shown comprising a metallic arbor or pin 3| whose lower end is molded in the center of supporting plate 25 and on whose reduced upper end 32 is rigidly secured a supporting washer 33. To retain the plate 29 in operating position on arbor 3i, the latter is drilled to receive a short pin 34, a washer 35 being interposed between the pin 35 and the upper surface of plate 29.

I prefer to provide an adjustable connecting means between the plate 29 and armature 22; that shown comprising a downwardly projecting lug or pin whose upper end is molded in the plate 29 during the manufacture of this plate. The lower end of lug 36 is engaged between the nuts 37-38 threaded onto a screw 39 which is secured in the outer end of armature 22. Adjustrnent of the nuts 31-38 on screw 39 permits the air gap between the magnet pole face 19 and armature 22 to be adjusted to a desired amount. In order to prevent the armature from directly contacting the pole face IS, a small pin or button made of non-magnetic material may be secured to the face of the armature opposite the pole face it, as shown in Fig. 1. In order to limit the motion of the armature in the rearward direction and thereby prevent the contact spring 2 l of one pair or pairs from engaging the contact E9 of another pair or pairs, a short pin 4| may be molded into the supporting plate 25 and project upwardly therefrom in a position to engage he rear surface of the armature 22, as shown in Fig, 1. In order to prevent the contact springs H from abutting against the peripheral surface of plate 25 or entering any of the notches 2i; therein, their inner edges are cut away in the region opposite plate 25, as indicated at 42 in Fig. 2. Otherwise the contact springs I I may be made of the same width and thickness as the springs H).

For the purpose of pivotally mounting armature 22 on the edge 2| of pole 8, a thin flat plate .3 of metal is secured to the left end of the armature and extends its full height, as shown in Fig. 4, The left end of the armature and plate i3 are cut away as indicated to provide a pair of spaced notches -45, Fig. 4, which extends at an acute angle to the rear surface of the arma ture. A retaining spring 46 formed of a wide strip of metal has one end wrapped partially around the curved portion of pole piece 8, this end being provided with an upturned flange 41, Fig. 1, which may be readily engaged, by a suitable tool, for the purpose of removing the spring whenever desired. The other end of the sprin is cut away as indicated at 48 to provide upper and lower narrow ends 49-50 which are seated in the notches 44, respectively and press the armature inwardly against the pivotal edge 2!.

Where a large number of similar relays are to be built, the magnet coil I5 is preferably designed so that its upper surface is somewhat below the lower surface of plate 25 to provide a small clearance space 5! (Fig. 2) so that slight variations in the lengths of different individual coils will not interfere with the proper assembling of the component parts of the relay. In order to effect a saving in material and to lighten the spring actuating plate 29, it may be molded with a pair of large apertures 52-53 separated by a central diametrically extending solid portion 54.

The relay shown is designed or actuating 30 pairs of contact springs l0-H, but it will be understood that a smaller or larger number may be used, and with the described construction 60 pairs may readily be provided for. It will also be understood that while the movable contact springs i l are shown as provided with front con tacts 28 which make the relay circuits, they may be provided with back contacts or transfer springs (not shown) instead, which will effect an opening of the relay circuits or alternatively both front and back contacts may be provided on one or more oi the springs ii. While only a single contact point 2'! is shown on the corn tact springs I i! in Fig. 1, it will be understood that two contact points 21a may be provided on each of such springs its, as shown in Fig. 5, the upper end of the spring being preferably provided with a central slit The use of two contact points provides a more certain contact as if one point [or any reason fails to make good contact, the other point will. When two contacts on a contact spring of each pair, the springs its and Ha of each pair are .ci with each other as molded into the para base i, each pair being disposed in a generally radial direction, as shown in Fig. 6.

lin operation, the passage of an electrical current through magnet coil E causes armature to be drawn away from the stop 4! towards pole face 59, this clockwise movement about pivotal edge it being transmitted to the actuating plate 29 through the screw Sl -38 and lug 3t. Movement of the plate about its pivotal support 32 causes the upper ends of the movabl contact springs Ii to move clockwise until their contact points 28 engage and press against the contacts 21 on the relatively fixed springs Hi. The upper ends of the s rings iii may move slightly within the slots 25 in the supporting plate 25 and follow the movable springs l 5, thereby providing a desirable v ping action of the contact points 28 and 21 Wl'iich serves to keep the contacts clean and also providing for wear of the contact points. The several circuits connected to the pairs of contact springs its-ll are thus simultaneously made by a single actuating electromagnet. Upon interrupting the current through magnet coil the springs I! by reason of their engagement in the slots til in the actuating plate 29 cause the plate to rotate slightly counter-clockwise and return the armature 22 to its initial position against the stop pin M, the several circuits being simultaneously broken. While the relay and its cover a have been illustrated as disposed in a vertical position, it will be understood that it is equally operative in a horizontal position, the fit of the cover 4 on the cylindrical base 2 being snug enough to provide for adequate support of the cover.

In the modified form of armature support shown in Figs. '7 and 3, one end of the armature 22a. is provided with a pair of spaced apertures 56 through which pass, rather loosely, a. pair of short pins 5! which project from the rear surface 18a of magnet pole 8a. Similar to the construe tion shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the armature 22a extends slightly beyond the opposite pole 9a of the magnet. When this form of supporting arrangement is used, no spring, such as the spring 45 of Fig. 1, is necessary, the relay being mounted so that its armature 22a depends vertically from the pins 5?. It is found that the connections between the plate 29 and the armature together with the rear stop pin M serve to properly retain the armature in proper position on the support pins 5?. Furthermore, at each energization of the relay, the armature is pulled up into contact with the pole faces l8a, Ida thus counteracting any tendency for it to creep off its supporting pins 5'1.

I have described What I believe to be the best embodiments of my invention. I do not wish, however, to be confined to the embodiments shown, but what I desire to cover by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An electrical relay comprising, in combination, an electromagnet, an armature adapted to be actuated by said electromagnet, a plurality of fixed contacts, a base for supporting the fixed contacts, a plate carried by said electromagnet and disposed above said base, the plate having portions thereof serving as backstops for all said fixed contacts, a plurality of movable contacts disposed adjacent said fixed contacts, a rotatable actuating plate, means connected to said arma ture arranged to rotate said actuating plate, and means connecting the actuating plate to the movable contacts.

2. An electrical relay as set forth in claim 1 in which the first mentioned plate is provided with a plurality of equally spaced surfaces disposed in engagement with the fixed contacts.

3. An electrical relay comprising, in combination, a solid supporting base, an electromagnet secured to said base and extending outwardly away from said base, an armature adapted to be actuated by said electromagnet, a plurality of fixed contacts carried by and extending through said supporting base outwardly away from the base in substantially the same direction as the electromagnet, a plurality of movable contacts carried by and extending through said supporting base outwardly away from the base in substantially the same direction as the electromagnet, and adapted to engage the fixed contacts, a rotatable actuating plate, means connecting the armature and actuating plate, flexible means connecting the actuating plate to the movable contacts, and a closed casing engaging the supporting base and enclosing the aforementioned relay components.

4. An electrical relay comprising, in combination, a supporting base formed of moldable insulation material, a plurality of pairs of contact springs having their lower ends molded in and projecting through said base in circular formation, a rotatable actuating plate connected to one spring of each of said pairs, an electromagnet having a core, with one end molded in said supporting base and provided with a movable armature, and means connected to the armature to rotate said actuating plate.

5. An electrical relay as set forth in claim in which each pair of contact springs is disposed in the base substantially radially.

6. An electrical relay comprising, in combination, a supporting base formed of moldable insulation material, a plurality of fixed contact springs, a plurality of movable contact springs disposed between the fixed springs, the lower ends of all of said springs being molded in said base in circular formation, a rotatable actuating plate rovided with a plurality of slots in which the upper ends of said movable contact springs are disposed, an electromagnet mounted on the supporting base and having a movable armature, means connected to the armature for rotating the actuating plate, and a stationary plate disposed between the rotatable actuating plate and the supporting base and having a plurality of spaced apart surfaces adapted to engage and form a back stop for the fixed contact springs.

7. An electrical relay as set forth in claim 6 in which the stationary plate is provided with a plurality of peripheral radial slots in which the fixed contact springs are disposed.

8. An electrical relay as set forth in claim 6 in which the stationary plate is formed of molded insulation material and has a plurality of slots molded in its periphery, the width of each of said slots being substantially greater than the thickness of the fixed contact springs and the latter springs passing through the slots.

9. An electrical relay as set forth in claim 5 in which the electromagnet has a U-shaped iron core having parallel pole pieces and one of the pole pieces is shaped to provide a pivotal support for the armature.

10. An electrical relay as set forth in claim 6 in which the inner edges of the movable contact springs are cut away to clear the peripheral edge of the stationary plate.

11. An electrical relay comprising, in combination, a supporting base formed of moldable insulation material, a plurality of pairs of contact springs having their lower ends molded in and extending through said base in circular formation, a pair of coil terminals molded in and extending through said base, an electromagnet mounted on said base and having an energizing coil, leads connecting the ends of said coil to said coil terminals, an armature adapted to be actuated by the electromagnet, a rotatable actuating plate connected to one spring of each of said pairs, and means connected to the armature to rotate the actuating plate.

12. In an electrical relay, the combination of an electromagnet, an armature adapted to be actuated by said electromagnet, a plurality of pairs of fixed and movable contact springs d sposed in the form of a cage around the electromagnet, a substantially ring-shaped member connected to the ends of the movable contact springs, and means connected to the armature and to a point near the periphery of said ringshaped member and arranged to rotate the ringshaped member.

13. An electrical relay comprising, in combination, an elongated electromagnet, an armature adapted to be actuated by said electromagnet, a plurality of fixed contacts, a plurality of movable contacts disposed adjacent said fixed contacts and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said electromagnet, a rotatable actuating plate provided with a series of spaced, peripherally arranged surfaces in engagement with said movable contacts, means for supporting said actuating plate, and adjustable means connecting said armature and actuating plate arranged to permit the extent of motion of the actuating plate to be varied with reference to the motion of the armature.

1a. A relay device as set forth in claim 18 in which the adjustable connecting means comprises a screw and nut device carried by the armature.

15. An electrical relay comprising, in combination, a supporting base, a pivotal support, a contact spring actuating plate pivotally mounted on said support. a plurality of sets of fixed and movable contact springs mounted on said base circularly of said pivotal support, said movable contact springs engaging the peripheral portion of said actuating plate, an electromagnet mounted on said base between said sets of contact springs, and an armature for said electromagnet connected to the contact spring actuating plate, said armature being supported for rotation about an axis which is out of alignment with said pivotal support,

16. A relay device as set forth in claim 15 in which the electromagnet is provided With a U shaped core, one of the legs of the core being arranged to pivotally support one end of the armature.

17. An electrical relay comprising, in combination, an electromagnet provided with a pair of parallel disposed legs, a plurality of circularly arranged sets of fixed and movable contacts, a rotatable actuating plate disposed symmetrically above the magnet legs and having radially disposed surfaces in engagement with the movable contacts, one of said magnet legs being shaped to provide a point of pivotal support, an armature having one end disposed in engagement with said point of pivotal support and its opposite end connected to said actuating plate and a curved spring adapted to clasp said one magnet leg and having an end arranged to engage said one end of the armature and maintain it in engagement with the point of pivotal support.

18. In an electrical relay the combination of an electromagnet, a plurality of groups of fixed and movable contact springs disposed in the form of a substantially cylindrical cage around the electromagnet, the contact springs in each group being parallel to each other and each group being disposed generally radially of the electromagnet, a rotatable actuating plate operable to move the ends of the movable contact springs, and an armature adapted to be actuated by the electromagnet and for rotating said plate.

19. In an electrical relay the combination of an electromagnet, a plurality of groups of fixed and movable contact springs disposed in the form of a substantially cylindrical cage around the electromagnet, the contact springs in each group being parallel to each other and each group being disposed generally radially of the electromagnet, a rotatable actuating plate operable to move the ends of the movable contact springs, and an armature adapted to be actuated by the electromagnet and for rotating said plate, and a second plate substantially concentric with the first plate for engaging said fixed contact springs to serve as a unitary back-stop for all said fixed springs.

20. In an electrical relay the combination of an electromagnet, a plurality of groups of fixed and movable contact springs disposed in the form of a substantially cylindrical cage around the electromagnet, the contact springs in each group being disposed generally radially of the electromagnet, a rotatable actuating plate operable to move the ends of the movable contact springs, and an armature adapted to be actuated by the electromagnet and for rotating said plate, a second plate having slots in the periphery thereof for receiving the fixed contact springs whereby said second plate serves as a unitary back-stop for all of said fixed springs, said slots being substantially wider than the thickness of the springs.

JOHN N. REYNOLDS. 

